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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the Ashes.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.